Hi guys , I have been picking up various examples of this coins every time I come across one. I found this nice example but there is something horribly wrong with the surface.It almost looks like a micro layer of paint I don't know take a look guys http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300390304572&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
I'll be the first to admit that I know nothing of "foreign" coins. I specialize on U.S. mint issues from 1793 to present. I don't know the composition of that coin, but the look is very similar to those coins I have seen composed of aluminum that have oxidized. I can't imagine a coin that old was actually minted from aluminum or aluminum alloys, but perhaps it was. In any case, aluminum oxide is the first thing that pops into my mind when I see that coin.
Ooh! I see it now. I wonder what kind of monitor I was using to view the pics the first time? Yes, I agree -- casting bubbles.
What!? But the seller says it's 100% authentic! And they are a POWER SELLER on ebay... I am shocked. :bigeyes: Oh wait... No I'm not. sad, sad.
It looks like a real coin. The tone is a rather unpleasant grey, but the bubbles in the metal of this piece are not due to a casting process. In fact, you can see die cracks at the OL of POLONIARUM. This issue was struck on pretty poor quality metal, and I'd blame the bubbles on that. I do collect Polish coins, and while this is not the prettiest piece, I'm pretty sure it's genuine.
Die cracks just indicate that the coin the mold was made from had die cracks on it. They do nothing towards indicating authenticity. If the flan had had poor quality surfaces sch as showing "bubbles on the surface, they would have been flattened by the fields of the die and would not have remained as raised lumps after striking. I would still strongly suspect it is a fake.
What you are thinking of as die cracks are tool marks Jerome. There are more of them along the neck and at the bottom of the bust. That coin is as fake as a $3 bill.
